With the 2024 NBA free agency a bust, the top story for July 4 is, unsurprisingly, the status of LeBron James and the the Los Angeles LakersAs with most Lakers media coverage, every other team is a secondary story, depending on how their role can affect Los Angeles. This year, one of those secondary teams is the Portland Blazerswho have a player of possible interest to LA: forward Jerami Grant.
If you haven’t seen Jerami Grant recently (which is understandable, since he’s played for losing teams in Portland and Detroit over the past 5 years), let’s talk about that, because he may not be the player you remember.
In his years in Oklahoma City and Detroit, he was known as a tough defender, who justified his role on the court by bothering opposing offenses and doing whatever it took to stay in the game. But during his years in NBA purgatory, he focused on building his offensive repertoire. He was less focused on defense, but he could now put the ball in the basket. That led to a trade and an unfortunate pairing with already elite offensive All-Star Damian Lillard, who really needed defense and rebounding. Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and top assistant Scott Brooks (now with the Lakers) couldn’t make the pieces fit. The team collapsed, Lillard was traded, and here we are. But, now 30, Grant is still wearing red and black, a remnant of a short and forgotten era.
Let’s recap some recent reports and discuss them from the perspective of the Portland Trail Blazers organization’s likely targets.
On Bleacher Report, Eric Pincus listed Portland willingness to recover money But don’t go overboard with the luxury tax. In addition to Grant, he also mentions Robert Williams, currently injured |||.
Are the Blazers so eager to trade Grant and Williams that they’d take on the expiring contracts of Russell and Wood, a second-year player not healthy enough to play in the summer league after back surgery (Hood-Schifino), and a talented young player like Hachimura for $35.3 million over two seasons? Or would Portland try to get draft compensation from LA in a deal?
It’s not complicated. The answer to question 1 is “no.” The answer to question 2 is “yes.” Pincus himself admits this immediately afterwards.
The Blazers have time on their side with Malcolm Brogdon going to the Wizards of Washington for Deni Avdija. They no longer run the risk of paying luxury taxes for a rebuilding squad.
Here’s the crux of the situation: The Blazers are in no hurry. They’re in good financial shape, and if this is the team that comes to training camp, they’re ready. Portland is not a desperate team. They have no problem waiting all summer, or even until next season. Pat Riley and the Miami Heat learned this last summer, when Joe Cronin and the Blazers quietly waited for a better offer for Lillard, which eventually came from the NBA. Milwaukee Bucksdeparture Heat drifting.
Joe Cronin probably wouldn’t have a problem with leaving the Lakers adrift either, if he doesn’t get an offer he likes.
The Blazers are working toward mid-term relevance, not short-term relevance. The trade with Washington for Deni Avdija was clearly intended to add another member to a core the team hopes will grow in a few years. And as Oklahoma City reminds us, you can never have too many draft picks. The Blazers are far more interested in future picks than a player who doesn’t project to be a long-term core rotation member on a good contract.
Which brings us to Anthony Irwin, via Lakers Diary.
Portland, according to people familiar with the situation, is demanding two first-round picks for Grant. League sources cite his contract and possible reluctance to take on a lesser role on a winning team as reasons the Lakers and other teams have been unwilling to pay that price.
This paragraph is a bit offensive, clearly taken from the Lakers’ perspective, but it’s not necessarily disconnected from reality either. As noted above, Grant decided to leave the surging Nuggets to join the losing Pistons, where he could develop his offensive game in relative obscurity and draw a nice salary from the Blazers, but Billups and Brooks (did we mention he’s now with the Lakers?) couldn’t find a way to win with him and Lillard. His current role is to take a lot of shots in lopsided losses.
One thing that gets overlooked in that quote is that while Grant won’t be the best rebounder, his offensive game will keep defenses at bay. They can’t leave Grant in a corner or roaming the court while they focus on LeBron or Anthony Davis. Grant can hit a three, he can take the ball and create his own shot. And when needed, he can still defend. Grant possesses a number of basketball traits that would be very useful to James and the Lakers on the court.
Maybe the concerns are overblown and an older Grant is ready to use his skills and find a role to help the Lakers regain their glory. Maybe not. But that’s a risk the Lakers may have to consider taking. Their options are limited. And Portland can set its trade expectations and stay quiet while the Lakers have this debate.
So everyone has to fall into place. The Blazers are willing to wait and may even take Grant. The Lakers not only have a decision to make, but if they want Grant, they also have to figure out the best way to make the trade work. Given the Lakers’ financial situation, that’s tricky.
In the meantime, can I interest any team in a great deal on a good used Matisse Thybulle?